Kershaw Lockbacks Made in China!!

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SpydieNative

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When did this happen? I went to pick up a new Wildcat Ridge, a favorite knife of mine, and noticed the fit and finish was poor (compared to the Japan versions). I never owned a China made Kershaw, only Bucks, which are great. I purchased the display, the last one they had in store that was made in Japan.
Are China made Kershaws something to avoid and will there be more knives made in China by Kershaw in the near future? Aside from Buck I'd say that these are my favorite lockbacks and am a little disappointed that the look of the new Wildcat Ridge and Black Gulch went down hill in my opinion. Can't say anything about actual use yet and performance. I know some of you will say, "Japan is overseas too." Yea, you're right. But, I'd rather have a Japan Kershaw over a Chinese Kershaw.
 
The Kershaw Vapor II I got on closeout from Academy two years ago was clearly marked Made in China - once I got it out of the clamshell. It's actually old news. It's a great knife for $18. Some day I'll replace the thumbstud and actually use it. Newer ones are Gen2 studs and much better.

From what I hear, Buck is no longer having knives made in China. This stuff changes back and forth at 6 month intervals, or suddenly jumps out on the introduction of a new pattern. The Spyderco Tenacious and Benchmade Vex are both Chinese, and nice quality.

They're all around.
 
If you watch the Kershaw video on their website it says they produce 80% of their knives in the US and are shooting for 90%+, so what they may be doing is starting to produce the few Japanese models they have left in China to save money while they move more production here. I hope that is the case. I won't buy a Chinese made knife. Not that I have anything against China, its just that why should I do it when Kershaw, Spyderco, ect. offer such good knives from the US and Japan in almost the same price range? I know some guys probably say "overseas is overseas" but the Japanese really do nice work on average so I am biased toward them. My SOG Stingrays, Government Agent, Tomcat 3.0, and a handful of my Spydercos all are made there, and are all first rate. Why mess with a formula that works? Heck, even the well respected Browning and Winchester rifles and shotguns are made there, like the A-Bolt, BPS, lever action 1886's, 1895's, ect. They exhibit a level of workmanship I really don't think is possible in China yet.
 
I think they all try it to keep costs down.

IF the quality is there it really doesn't matter where the knife is made.

People want cheap knives right?
 
SpydieNative said:
When did this happen?
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This was a recent change.

I went to pick up a new Wildcat Ridge, a favorite knife of mine, and noticed the fit and finish was poor (compared to the Japan versions).
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Broad statements without details are difficult to address.

We QC our blades that are produced in China. I personally went through and looked at the knives you're questioning. IMO, the fit & finish with the 3100 series are actually better than the ones we were having done in Japan. Now we did have a few 3100's leave the factory with some exposed adhesive off the scale, but those we quickly addressed.

Are China made Kershaws something to avoid and will there be more knives made in China by Kershaw in the near future?
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We've produced knives in China for quite a while now. I believe the quality/price to be as good as you can import. You will certainly see more blades from us produced in China.

...these are my favorite lockbacks and am a little disappointed that the look of the new Wildcat Ridge and Black Gulch went down hill in my opinion.
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Again, how so?

But, I'd rather have a Japan Kershaw over a Chinese Kershaw.
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Possibly this is more of a Country of Origin issue?
 
Thomas, does Kershaw contract out the Chinese production or do you run the factory yourselves?
 
Sorry to bug you Thomas but will the RAMIII be produced in China, not a problem at all if it is, just seeing if it is still in the pipeline?
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Thomas, does Kershaw contract out the Chinese production or do you run the factory yourselves?
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Esav, both actually. We've recently used factories outside of our own mostly due to Kai Industries utilizing up most of our capacity for other non Kershaw projects.
 
hwpaintballer said:
Sorry to bug you Thomas but will the RAMIII be produced in China, not a problem at all if it is, just seeing if it is still in the pipeline?
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Such a topic changer hpb! ;)

Actually, we have not made a decision on even producing the RAM III, let alone opting on where to make it. Sorry, wish I had more news.
 
Most of the bigger knife companies seem to be making alot of their lower end models in China nowadays. I understand the need to be cost effective and not price yourself out of a big market.

As long as I can still buy an american made blade of good quality from the company, I don't hold it against them. I'm one of those who's willing to pay more for US manufacture.
 
Well a lot people aren't knife nuts, they really don't care where it was made or what it was made from as long as it has an edge and is cheap, that's why you see so many gas station knives and have to look hard to find decent knives at stores, and IMO it is too large of a market not to try and offer a few designs. :D Also it gives us knife knuts an affordable knife to gift to family and friends to help start their addiction.
 
Well the truth is that Kershaw Knives has been quite behind with regards to the importation of knives made overseas. We defaulted to our competitors (Gerber, CRKT, Spyderco/Byrd, etc...), but recently opted to bring on a small gang of folders to at least have some offerings in that $19-$39 category.

Most of these new pieces will be out this month. Here are a few samples of what I'm speaking of:

RJ Martin designed Blitz - 3-D machined G-10, 8CRMOV steel, $39.95 MSRP

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RJ Martin designed Chill - G-10 Flipper $29.95 MSRP

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G & G Hawk designed Select Fire $34.95 MSRP

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There are a few others as well, Half-Ton $19.95 MSRP, Scamp $29.95 MSRP. I'll see about images with those two as well.
 
We've produced knives in China for quite a while now. I believe the quality/price to be as good as you can import. You will certainly see more blades from us produced in China.
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Congratulations Thomas, with those three sentences you turned me from an avid supporter of Kershaw to someone who will never buy one of their knives again.

I feel like Kershaw has lied to us, their marketing campaign is all about "Made in the US! Made in the US!" Now we find out they make knives in China?!

So do the Chinese made Kershaws still come in the American flag box? Or do you put them in Chinese flag boxes? (as you should do otherwise it's deceptive)
 
James0723 said:
Congratulations Thomas, with those three sentences you turned me from an avid supporter of Kershaw to someone who will never buy one of their knives again.

I feel like Kershaw has lied to us, their marketing campaign is all about "Made in the US! Made in the US!" Now we find out they make knives in China?!

So do the Chinese made Kershaws still come in the American flag box? Or do you put them in Chinese flag boxes? (as you should do otherwise it's deceptive)
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WOOOH hold up James, I believe you have misread Thomas statement. He said the have made knives in China before, like the lock backs. He wasn't talking about they produce most of their production line in China, also a very large percent of Kershaw's knives come from Oregon.
 
Of course our main focus will continue to be USA made knives, but this does give us diversity, and allows us to supplement our business.

From the USA produced side, you will see a few new auto's -

RJ's Breakout $99 MSRP & Rouge $149.95

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The Volt $299.95

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RJ's Speedform $299.95

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There is that cool Auto Commander collaboration with Ernie Emerson and the Hawks, the tanto Zing, and the 10th Anniversary OCC folder (no images on these today).

Of course we will continue on with our many USA made boutique runs. Currently the new ones hitting the streets are a orange G-10 OD-1 & G-10 Needs Work. I'm forgetting a few others, but I think you can see we haven't lost any focus on our American made manufacturing. :thumbup:

All these USA made knives will be produced and delivered in 09. Early 2010 will in fact bring on the next round of new and exciting USA made products.

Ahh, but I digress now, we in fact have moved over some of our long time Japan made products, like the 3100 series to be more competitive cost wise, and production can also be an issue in Japan as well. Hopefully you all understand.
 
Is the volt 299.95? There is an extremely good chance I mixed up the prices somewhere along the way, but I thought some new knife coming out was going to be 249.95, :o again sorry to bug you Thomas.
 
hwpaintballer said:
WOOOH hold up James, I believe you have misread Thomas statement. He said the have made knives in China before, like the lock backs. He wasn't talking about they produce most of their production line in China, also a very large percent of Kershaw's knives come from Oregon.
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I fully understand his statements paintballer, thank you. This man is saying they have made knives in China and that they are currently trying to make more there. Because as he says:

Well the truth is that Kershaw Knives has been quite behind with regards to the importation of knives made overseas. We defaulted to our competitors (Gerber, CRKT, Spyderco/Byrd, etc...), but recently opted to bring on a small gang of folders to at least have some offerings in that $19-$39 category.
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Behind?! Competitors?! Ask anyone here, most will tell you Gerber and CRKT are the worst brands of knives on the market right now because of things like this. And now Kershaw wants to lump itself together with them?! How could anyone running a knife business, who knows about quality knives, look at what Gerber and CRKT have become and say "you know what, we need to take direction from these guys. Lets do the same things these guys have done and build some factories in China."

Gerber and CRKT have destroyed their brands and Kershaw and Spyderco are trying as hard as they can to follow. Kershaw is dead to me now.
 
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